NMHR News:

SANTA FE — New reports showing New Mexico spent over half a billion taxpayer dollars on homelessness programs in just three years while the crisis continued to worsen are raising serious concerns about accountability and results.

Last year, Rep. Nicole Chavez sent a formal letter to Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller demanding answers about the city’s homelessness programs, where taxpayer money was going, and whether the programs were actually working. No response was ever provided.

A recent Legislative Finance Committee report found homelessness in New Mexico has continued to rise despite massive increases in taxpayer spending on housing and homelessness initiatives.

“New Mexicans are watching hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars get poured into homelessness programs while the crisis keeps getting worse,” House Republicans said. “For years, Democrat leaders have continued throwing taxpayer money at the problem without accountability or measurable results. That approach has completely failed.”

“Homelessness is something we all want to address, but the lack of transparency, especially from Albuquerque officials, is deeply concerning,” said Rep. Nicole Chavez. “Taxpayers want to know where these dollars are going and why they are not working.”

House Republicans called for stronger oversight and transparency surrounding homelessness spending and outcomes across New Mexico.